Bible Question: In the book of Hebrews, a Sabbath Rest is mentioned, where as I understand it, We rest from our works, and by faith let God do it. My question is, does God give us the ability to enter into that "rest", or is it a choice of free will on our part? |
Bible Answer: Well if you look at Heb 3:7-12: Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Here we are warned about an evil heart of unbelief. Then when we looked down at v18: And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? We see that those who did not enter into His rest where those that did not believe. Now look at Heb 4:1-3: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Those that believe enter into rest. Now look down to vv 9-11: There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. There is rest for the people of God. I would say yes God gives us the ability to enter His rest. We, however, are told to labour to enter into that rest. Meredith |